WASHINGTON (AP) No. 25 Rhode Island's Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament opener provided a new test for a team that largely dominated its league: a chance to bounce back from a losing streak.

The top-seeded Rams met the challenge, fending off VCU 76-67 in the quarterfinals Friday as it began its tournament defense.

"We really hadn't had adversity in terms of losing two in a row and having to respond," coach Dan Hurley said. "Then losing two in a row and having to respond against VCU in D.C., with a ton of pressure on you to bounce back and show who you are. I just think it was exactly the type of game we needed."